While I Haven't Been Blogging

While I haven't been blogging, I've been making lots of fabric pendants and brooches...

While I haven't been blogging, I've been madly preparing for the Sydney Life Instyle show that is now only a couple of weeks away...  If you're there, please come and say "hello" to me in stand number 62...

While I haven't been blogging, I've been putting together a new website that I hope to have up very soon...

While I haven't been blogging, I've been planning on what to do on the single free day I have in Sydney... I'd like to visit this shop, see this exhibition and have a cup of tea and a browse in this store...

While I haven't been blogging I've been missing blogging...

While I haven't been blogging I've been missing visiting my blogging friends... What have I missed?  What have you been doing while I haven't been blogging?

When I Grow Up

Day 69: When I grow up, originally uploaded by ILoveDoodle.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

The Before, The After and the After the After

Take an Ikea table and chair set (the only one left in stock).  

Add a primer, some "Red Gumball" and blackboard paint and this is what you get.

Add a small child and some chalk and this is what it becomes.

I love that the little one is now at that age where her toys become part of everyday.  She feeds them milk and sultanas, whether they want it or not.  She tucks her dolls into bed.  Today when we surprised her with the set, some had to sit on the chair opposite and were given a piece of chalk each so that they too could join in the fun.

The toy chest you can see in the background is the next on my list of things to do up for her.  It was the chest my siblings and I used when we were kids and still has that lovely 70s orange on the top.

Dear Mr Birthday Present Fairy

Dear Mr Birthday Present Fairy (aka The Man),

As you know, my birthday is coming up in a bit over a month.  You say you often find it hard to choose a present for me, so I thought I'd start giving you some hints.

I think this mug is super cute.  It has a tea strainer with it too, so it could fit nicely together in the cupboard and I wouldn't have to complain to you that you always put my tea strainer in places that I can't find it.  I know I already have some gorgeous mugs, but I do drink lots of tea.  And besides, those TimTam cups do need to go, rather than to always remind me that I can't eat them anymore now that I can't eat gluten.

I also think this pencil case is really sweet.  I just love how Red Riding Hood is asking the wolf, "Why is your mouse so big?"  It reminds me of my Japanese students who I miss so very much.  And I do have lots of pencils that need somewhere nice to live.

When I find some more things that I like, I'll let you know shall I?

Love Melanie

PS.  I have been trying to be a very good girl this year, so I hope that counts.

PPS.  Thank you to this lovely lady for the link to this store.

PPPS.  The photos are all borrowed from the site I found these on.

Playing with Texture

After staring at a computer screen all week, last night my fingers needed to play with something other than a keyboard or mouse.  They were craving texture.

I got out some felt, some fabric, some scissors, a needle and thread and this is what I came up with... both pieces can be worn as either a brooch or pendant.  They are quite large, statement pieces if you will...

This one I used the nuno felted beads I made a while back...

These kimono fabric with chrysanthemum pendants were created earlier this week.  I love how the 'mums seem to be sitting on top of a pond.  They remind me of this amazing lotus pond I visited in Cambodia a few years ago.  Chrysanthemums are used heavily in Japanese design too.

The only problem is, I've started seeing these flowers around the parts a bit since I bought them last year.  I'm hoping that the fact that I'm only using them as part of design with kimono fabric might set them apart... I'm not sure... what do you think?  I'd love your opinion.

Flickr Faves on a Friday

Pages of my mind.

1. Su Blackwell, 2. 19 january 2010, 3. Altered Book: Looking for Signs of a Safe Return Home, 4. Work in process., 5. "The Boy Electrician" Altered Book, 6. Down the Rabbit Hole - cover of my book, 7. Dare to Dream, 8. surprise and hope, 9. week1 papercut

My Creative Space

There are lots of "should-be-doings" going on in my creative space at the moment... I should be working on my new website.  I should be working on some new designs.  I should be preparing for a trade fair next month... 

Instead, I've been taking a break from all those "shoulds" and thinking about my dream studio space.  No, not that I'll be moving into one anytime soon, but it's certainly fun to visualise.  I picked up some paint swatches the other day and one was called "Teal Goddess".  How can I resist a colour called Teal Goddess?

And I should say that I haven't been completely ignoring all the "shoulds", here's the mock-up for one of my wall for the trade fair.

What's happening in your creative space this week?  To check out some others, Kootoyoo is the place to go.

Taste Test Tuesday

 3 Hand Painted Irish Beach Stones by irisoconnor

Oval Shaped Flower Print Orange/Yellow by dekanimal

Poppy Tree Paper Dolls by thepoppytree

Lovely Afternoon by skippydesigns

Are you taking the Etsy Taste Test this week?  

Origomu

Origami = Folding paper

Origomu = Folding plastic - "A movement that transforms the simple act of recycling plastic materials into a form of creative expression".

Origomu is an initiative by New York based designer Titania Pages.  "Every year, thousands of plastic six-pack rings threaten the lives of shore birds and marine animals harming our environment."  She asks you to "join the movement and learn how to transfer waste into beautiful artwear".

Entries into the contest are due before Jan 31st.  For more information and to see more amazing artworks, visit Origomu.

Some of the pieces in there so far are amazing. 

What do you think?  Time for a few beers as an excuse to make some jewellery?

All images from the Origomu site.

Handmade Ark Flood Appeal

It's been quite surreal in Brisbane today.  We woke to sunshine and a beautiful (but very humid) summer's day, but yet in the knowledge that we were being flooded with the worst still to come.  The rain is no longer the issue, but rather the wall of water raging down from the catchment areas that will meet with high tides.  It's so hard to imagine as the hilly suburb I live on is rather dry, but yet much of the one next to me has gone under.   

I had to go out briefly to get supplies and the usual bustling streets were like a ghost town.  Most people were either heeding the requests to stay at home if they could, or like many, were cut off.  A number of the cars that I did see where filled with peoples belongings.

In Brisbane, we've been luckier in some ways than our neighbours a few hours west, in that we've had warning of what was, and still, is coming.  People have had a little time to evacuate and some to take a few precious belongings.  The flood is predicted to peak tomorrow morning at 4am, rising another metre above what it already is.  They say the waters will stay that way for about 12 to 18 hours before they begin to recede.  Close to 20, 000 homes are expected to flood, many businesses lost too.  Many people will lose everything they haven't been able to take with them.

Out west was worse.  The water came in what they are describing as an "inland tsunami".  It rose suddenly without warning taking cars, houses, entire farms, stock and crops, and so sadly, people, with it.  I'm haunted by an image I've seen on tv of a 4wheel drive rushing down the raging water like a paper boat before being dragged under.  There are stories of some of the lives lost, that I just can't bear to share here.  They break my heart.  Some of these towns had just begun the cleanup from the flood they suffered only a couple of weeks ago.  

The waters will begin to recede in a couple of days and then the clean up can begin.  Then those who have lost everything can start to rebuild their life.  

The BrisStyle group would like to help these people by contributing to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal, and we are hoping others can help as well.   Many members are donating items from their stores, with all the sale proceeds going directly to the fund.  

I have four pieces to donate so far; 

Kokeshi Brooch - Midnight Lace on Black

Butterfly in Blue

Bunny on a Hill

Tea Anyone Brooch - Iris with Lavendar

For more information on the Handmade Ark Appeal and for more items being donated, please visit the BrisStyle blog.

To donate directly to the appeal, please visit here.

Stay Safe and Dry

37/365 - hello sunshine!, originally uploaded by orangesparrow.

It just didn't seem right tonight to blog about things I like and things I would like when so many have lost so much over the last couple of days.

We're safe, our home is up high, but so many others are not so lucky.

So tonight, may everyone, their families and their homes stay safe and dry over the next couple of days.

*For non-local readers, our area is being hit with what may be the worst flood in over 35 years.  There is a lot of damage already, and they believe the worst is to come.  

A Poem Lovely as a Tree

Bonsai, originally uploaded by Rob Shenk.

Today's Inspiration

I think that I shall never see 

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day, 

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear 

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me, 

But only God can make a tree.

by Alfred Joyce Kilmer

Love this Dress

Vivienne by Pyxus Passion Project

If I just had the figure for it, I'm sure I could invent an event to wear it...

Slow

She wove her crown from the flowers that grew around her..., originally uploaded by Elly MacKay.

Things have been a bit quiet on my blog of late as I've been trying to take things a little slow.

I want to work hard to make a good living for my family but am realising that I can't do that if I don't take care of myself. To do that, I need to slow down. There are things I want to blog, I want to share, but lately have been going to bed instead, getting that sleep that my body is craving, needing right now.

I want my little one to grow up knowing how important it is to have time for herself, time for her family and the best want to teach her that is to model it myself. I want to be there, to be in the moment during the precious time I'm with her.

I've just been reading an article about the benefits of "slow parenting". It didn't really tell me anything terribly new, but rather reinforced my beliefs and helped take away some of the guilt I feel for not putting her in a lot of classes that might help her development. The Man and I are still leaning towards the idea of home schooling for the little one.

We're still dreaming of a slower, more self sufficient life. The Man is beginning to grow herbs and planning a vegetable garden. We continue to plan our tree-change home complete with chickens in the back yard.

While You Were Sleeping

A friend forwarded these beautiful images on to me and I just had to share them (thanks Dani!).  

They are all taken by a mum of her daughter during her naps.  "I'd like to see into your dreams, my little girl" she writes.   With the creative minds of her mum and her dad (the composer of the soundtrack), I can imagine that her dreams are rich and full of imagination.

You can see more images on her blog, Mila's Daydreams.

Taste Test Tuesday

Have you taken the Etsy Taste Test yet?  If not, be warned, it's rather addictive!  Just so I have an excuse to play with it regularly, I thought I'd make it a weekly event.  Here are some of the pieces Etsy chose for me...

Anna Brooch by Yalipaz

Natures Child by HarrietsArt

Sailing Along Together by TheatreClouds

Our Oak Tree by MarmeeCraft

Turquoise 3 Tier Cake Stand by EstherCoombs

How about you?  Want to join me, take the test and share your finds?  Leave us a link in the comments if you do.

**Oh, and I should mention, the Bookcase Tour has now moved to Wednesdays, no real reason except that I preferred the alliteration in "Taste Test Tuesday". 

Motif Monday - The Tsuru Crane

This year, I want to finish some of the things I started long ago.  One such neglected project is a look at the common motifs used in Japanese kimonos.  

What better way to start than to look at my personal favourite - the tsuru crane.

In Japanese culture the crane is believed to live 1000 years (a thinking they adopted from China) and so represents a long life.  As the crane mates for life (hmmm... I wonder what the traditional gift for a 950th wedding anniversary would be...), build the nest and raise their young together, it's also used as a symbol for a happy marriage.  Many wedding uchikake gowns are embroidered with cranes and are often pine, another symbol of long life.

This was a stunning women's kimono.  It was a gorgeous fine silk with shibori details.

This was from a boy's kimono, the fabric is from the sleeve and you can see the family crest at the top.  I love how it looks like a moon in the night sky.  This type of kimono would have been laid over a newborn (at about 100 days old I believe) during a visit to the shine to pray for his health and long life.

This is another boy's kimono.  It also has lots of motifs traditionally used for boys including taiko drums, arrows, Mt Fuji and arrowheads.

This is from a vibrant girl's kimono, from memory printed on a silk crepe and with gold highlights.

This was a heavily embroidered women's obi.  The gold was super shiny and the crane was done in soft silk threads.

I'm quite obsessed with the cranes and even used them in my wedding dress.  And they always look so elegant, souring across the fabric.

The Holiday and The Year that Was

Yesterday we returned from our wonderful New Zealand break.  We tried to spend as much time with family and to rest as possible, but fit in some kiwi-ness at the same time.

The weather treated us to everything from days with clear skies and teal-coloured seas, to wild wind and horizontal rain.

We visited fabulous museums and galleries and even a bookshop dedicated to textile arts.  The Brian Brake photographic exhibition had me wondering "what if..." with photojournalism being the career I had planned long ago.

We went to the Weta Caves, where magical stories are woven.

Christmas lunch with family and friends was so delicious that some of us needed a good lie down afterwards...

We went to Kaitoke Regional park, where the elves of Rivendell once lived...

There was even a Gypsy market by the seaside to visit.  I had visions of a decorated caravan of my own to drive up, all prepared, to markets with.

 On fine days we met the local birds and played games of hide and seek...

...and had some short walks in the forests.

It was a great break, lovely time with our little family of three and my parents, a time to refresh, a time to take in new sights and sounds.

And now, all too quickly, the new year is upon us.  2010 wasn't the best one for us, much of it filled with treatments and a (stem-cell) transplant, with doctors, diagnoses, drugs and new diets.  But I prefer to look at it as being the year we needed to start getting our family healthy again.  It was a year filled with kind words, kind gestures, love, compassion and generosity.

There were some big moments in the year.  In March The Man was declared to be in remission.  That month I also shaved off most of my hair to raise $5200 for the Leukaemia Foundation thanks to the generosity of people around the globe.  

In April, the little one, at eight and a half months took her first steps.  From that moment on, nothing was safe.

In July we celebrated the little one's first birthday.  All through the year we delighted in watching her grow, watching her blossom into a little girl.  A girl that knows her own mind and is sure about the way things should be.  A girl that just loves giving people cuddles to random people and to blow kisses.  A child that delights in exploring and figuring out how things work.  

In August I participated in my first trade fair.  It was a huge learning curve and a great experience.  Since then it's been another child for me to nurture whilst it grows and blossoms.

In October, The Man's treatment was declared successful and completed.  He had another checkup just before Christmas and all is still well.  As the particular cancer he had (Burkitt's Lymphoma) was so aggressive, it means that once gone, if it hasn't returned within a year, he is considered to be cured.

New Year's Eve once again found me in bed before midnight but this time it was due to my body still thinking it was in the New Zealand timezone. 

And now here we are, at the beginning of a new year.  I have lots of creative plans, plans to travel to Sydney and hopefully Japan and plans to get back into top physical health and some resemblance of fitness.  I'm eager to continue to develop my business, to be more social and to have more dedicated family time.  I can feel that 2011 is going to be big.

And to everyone, I wish you the same.  I wish you a truly amazing 2011 filled with dreams and their fulfillment.  

"Wishing you always...

Walls for the wind,

A roof for the rain

And tea beside the fire.

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all that your heart may desire"

                            An Irish Blessing